Pittwater Life June 2017 Issue

For more recipes go to www.janellebloom.com.au
Microwave apple
crumble
Serves 4-5
This is a recipe we developed
to highlight just how good a
microwave can cook. It was
taught in the free cooking
class, offered to everyone who
purchased a Sharp microwave
in the 1980s and ’90s. It’s my
go-to microwave dessert.
800g can pie apple
125g fresh or frozen
blueberries
1 buttercake packet mix
100g butter, chilled, thinly
sliced
4 tbs brown sugar
4 tbs shredded coconut,
toasted
3 tbs flaked almonds, toasted
Ice cream or custard (or both),
to serve
the dry cake mix, while
trying to completely cover
the top. Mix the sugar,
coconut and almonds
together then sprinkle over
the butter.
3. Place onto a microwavesafe
rack or upturned
dinner plate, microwave,
uncovered 12-15 minutes on
High/100%. Allow to stand
5-10 minutes (the top will
firm up on standing). Serve
with ice cream or custard.
Janelle’s Tip: You can use any
can fruit, just ensure you drain
and discard any syrup.
Janelle’s 10 Top
microwave tips
Always remove food from its plastic bag or wrapping
1. before defrosting. Otherwise, as it begins to defrost the
moisture drops to the base of the bag and starts to heat up,
causing steam, which in turn starts to cook the food.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
I suggest you reheat using Medium/50%. It will take a
little longer but food will be heated gently and more
evenly than at higher power
Don’t cook everything on High/100% power. Think about the
temperature setting used to cook that food conventionally
and apply the same when cooking in the microwave.
As a rule, cover food in the microwave if you would
normally cover it in your conventional oven, or if you
want to retain moisture.
For more even microwave cooking elevate food off the
turntable by using a rack or upturned plate; this allows the
microwave energy to cook the food from underneath easily.
It is best to use non-recycled paper towel in the
microwave oven as recycled paper towel may contain foil
chips which can ignite in the microwave. Don’t ever reheat
food in Chinese takeaway containers.
Foil can be used in the microwave provided two-thirds
7. of the food is not covered. Make sure it is secure and
doesn’t come in contact with the microwave oven walls.
Standing time is very important when cooking, reheating
8. or defrosting in the microwave. Try to allow 50% of
the microwaving time, For example, if you cook, reheat or
defrost for 10 minutes allow 5 minutes standing.
Remember that microwave ovens cook more at the
9. outside that at the centre of the turntable, so when
cooking foods like chicken, fish or vegetables, place the
thicker or more dense portions of food to the outside, with
the thinner, less dense pieces to the inside.
10.
To toast coconut and nuts, place into an oven bag. Twist
the bag to secure. Cook 2-3 minutes on High 100% or
until light golden, shaking the bag gently every minute.
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Food Life
1. Spoon the apple into a
lightly greased 23cm (base)
microwave-safe pie plate.
Scatter over the blueberries.
Sprinkle the dry buttercake
mix over the fruit.
2. Lay the butter evenly over
Celebrating 25 Years
JUNE 2017 67